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Congressman Williams votes to repeal ObamaCare

May 16, 2013

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) spoke in support of the repeal bill earlier today. A transcript of the remarks follows. Video of the full 2-minute floor speech can be found here.

“A government that places high value on freedom and free enterprise does not force its citizens to hand over their hard-earned money for a mandatory product, in this case health insurance. That’s just not how it’s done in America.

“Mr. Speaker, since Nancy Pelosi and her Democrat colleagues rushed this bill through Congress more than 3 years ago, Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing – this law is flawed, and it’s not what Americans asked for in the first place. Even President Obama has signed into law 7 bills that dismantle provisions of his health care law.

“Defying common sense, the President and Democrats in Congress continue pushing forward with implementation of this disastrous law, but who wants it? Members of Obama’s own party are now doubting how the law will work. Some of the key players of writing the bill don’t even want it. Senator Max Baucus said the healthcare law is a train wreck, and Senator Jay Rockefeller said it’s overly complicated and beyond comprehension.

“Architects of the law don’t want it, insurance companies don’t want it, majority of the public doesn’t want it, organized labor doesn’t want it, and as a small business owner of nearly 42 years I can tell you that small businesses don’t want it.

“No business owner could run their business like the President is running this government and this massive healthcare overhaul. I can say from first-hand experience that small businesses – the backbone of our economy – are hurting. As a job creator, I know businesses can no longer hire or take risks that would grow the economy. I’ve heard from local businesses in Texas’ 25th District who have work available and positions ready to fill, but they can’t hire anyone or else they risk going over 50 employees and being subject to the ObamaCare employer mandate. How is this good for Americans and America?

“The struggling economy has already forced families to cut back and tighten their budgets – how does the President expect these hard-working taxpayers to pay an additional $3000 each year for ObamaCare? I’ve had employees come to me in tears wondering how they are going to provide coverage for their families. And even the few Americans able to keep their current insurance will see their premiums rise by an average of 73%. Again I ask – how is this good for America?

“Mr. Speaker, in closing I’d like to quote Patrick Henry. He claimed, ‘The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.’ Let’s put an end to the chaos and do what’s right for our families, our businesses, and our tax dollars. Repeal ObamaCare today – the quicker, the better.”